Thousands hike Crazy Horse Memorial for Volksmarch 2017

It's a walk that's different from most. The Annual Volksmarch at Crazy Horse Memorial happens only twice a year and this time, the experience was a little more unique.

Visitors were able to march all the way down to the end of the hand of the mountain carving which is usually blocked off due to construction. The CEO of the memorial says she couldn't be more pleased with this year's outcome.

Jadwiga Ziolkowski, CEO Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, says "It's been a great, great weekend for us to show people how big the mountain is, how long it takes, why it takes so long and all of those things because it's just an opportunity that we can only do a few times a year and we're glad to have so many people come and do it."

I caught up with a few of the people on their way down from the 6.2 mile hike.

Christopher Schommer says, "Beautiful land, first timer so it was absolutely worth the sweat, probably the soreness tomorrow, the second day soreness I'm absolutely sure is going to kick in. Well worth it."

Brett Meggs says, "It's really fun you know. We made it all away to the top and everything and just the views is probably the best part absolutely and just the history of everything. Reading everything when you get up there is really interesting."

Some even say they can notice the work that has been put into the Crazy's Horse's hand and forearm.

Laurie Mayer says, "I like walking through the trees and seeing the different colors of the leaves this time of year. It's amazing."

Cynthia Herndon continues, "We saw visible progress which was amazing to see the big difference I feel from last time we came which was about a year ago. Absolutely. Yeah.

The park says that they of course want people to come and hike the trail, but when they leave, have a good understanding of what the work and the mountain stands for.

Ziolkowski continues, "Hopefully they understand the purpose of Crazy Horse which is to preserve and protect the culture and living heritage of all North American Indians but also to understand why this mountain is taking so long."